I picked up a late 07 AI recently (fantasized about it for a year, thanks to you folks) and am now wearing that silly "Hobie" grin all the time.

Unfortunately, the sail was in marginal shape. The plastic view panel was cracked and losing threads. Every time I furled it it became worse. I 303'd the entire sail and was looking for someone to replace the window, but the sail material along the bottom edge has failed as well. You'll notice there is only a thin strip of fabric below the plastic panel. Once the panel fails, that strip is the next to go.

Any advice on the feasibility of repairs or finding an affordable replacement would be appreciated, I am leaning toward a new one. Mine is red/grey and white.

And on the subject:How long do your sails generally last in the wild?What did it cost to replace yours?Are there any alternatives to the Hobie stock version, perhaps with more sail area?

I'll post to the "stuff wanted" forum in case anyone has a gently-used spare AI sail.

I'm not quite that well stocked! I try to keep a little bit of anything, that might break or wear, as it can take a while to get parts here. I do try to help others here on Maui and friends on The Big Island, when parts aren't available locally. I do have a spare mast!

When I can get the clear replacement sail material, Dee will try to repair it on her new (used) industrial sewing machine, between sprayskirts.

Folks - here's what you can expect to see when your sail window fails and things start to unravel. This damage took about 2.5 years of steady use.

This mylar panel, and the very thin fabric strip below it, are likely to fail long before the rest of the materials. You can see it clearly here, even though the upper 80% of this sail is still in good shape.

I would guess this area gives out earlier due to the materials, and all the stresses along this "curved" bottom edge (from repeated sheeting, furling, contact with the pilot and overall exposure -even when furled).

Note that the black threads running through the plastic give strength against the wind but do nothing to stop tears, once the material breaks down. Under use, tiny "cracks" in the clear plastic quickly become tears, which slice the threads until the thin fabric edge is all that is holding things together.

If you replace the sail with a new one, you may be able to re-coupe some of the cost by making a matching jib sail from the old one and selling it, or just sell it for the same reason but let them worry about the mods.

You must be storing in the sun when furled? That is clearly UV damage by looking at the color change / fade along the foot and leech.

If you look a big sailboats who have furling jibs, they often have a wide strip of UV stable cloth in these faded areas. A sailmaker would be able to do that for you. Especially if leaving the mast up for long periods. Then when furled, it's like having a sail cover on.

If you replace the sail with a new one, you may be able to re-coupe some of the cost by making a matching jib sail from the old one and selling it, or just sell it for the same reason but let them worry about the mods.

You must be storing in the sun when furled? That is clearly UV damage by looking at the color change / fade along the foot and leech.

If you look a big sailboats who have furling jibs, they often have a wide strip of UV stable cloth in these faded areas. A sailmaker would be able to do that for you. Especially if leaving the mast up for long periods. Then when furled, it's like having a sail cover on.

We do recommend storing in the bag and out of the sun though.

Thanks Matt, you are correct, this was stored outdoors, dry. I inherited the problem from the previous owner. My new sail will be bagged.

While I had the privilege, I wanted to illustrate for others what happens with accelerated aging and where the points of failure are. Maybe save them $500.

Following your advice, I would also like to suggest Hobie reexamine the sail design and think about ways to upgrade and reinforce these lower points. This one area is exposed to multiple sailing stresses and to the elements (even when furled). It's most likely to come in contact with people/gear too, and to take damage during portage or bagging.

I feel a 1.5" strip of reinforced sail edge (or canvas) and more stitching would add to their lifespan. Hobie designers could take this even further. Feel free to use these photos for your shipwreck "archives."

My new red sail is on order and I hope will get to Hawaii this week. (We have 20-30 mph winds headed our way!)

Could I ask you a couple questions about it?How does the new sail ship? Is it folded or rolled? Require special packaging?Will I need to buy any other parts or is it ready to slip on my old 2007 mast? Does it include battens and mounting pieces, etc?

Any advice on the process of transferring AI sails and the parts needed would be helpful to everyone.

When you move the battens to your new sail, don't just tie them like the instructions show, but tie them tightly, every which way with good permanent knots. Many people, especially in Hawaii have lost the rear batten. Many have not even notice it was gone.

No sailing for me for the next few days. I try not to get out in small craft advisories.